Be smart about finances in college

When I left home for college, I clearly remember being petrified of using my credit card.

I'd always paid for everything with either cash or a debit card, and the prospect of buying something with credit just didn't make sense to me.

But my parents insisted that I needed to build up my credit so that once I got out of school, I'd be able to make larger, more real-life purchases, like buying a car or renting an apartment, without needing their signatures on the contract.

Being financially savvy as a college student is challenging and often something you're not taught in the classroom, but with a little effort, it's something you can easily learn on your own.

As unexciting as it sounds, doing a Google search for "financial tips for college students" is a pretty good way to start. I found plenty of easy-to-understand columns and "Top 10" lists from trusted publications like Forbes and Newsweek that encouraged me to save money, ward off credit card debt, and make a budget — all principles I continue to abide by even though I'm out of school.

A few of my friends and I also started using a website called Mint.com to track our personal spending and see exactly where our money was going.

Mint puts all your accounts in one place—checking, savings, credit card, even student loans — and tracks the money that comes in, as well as the money that goes out. All you have to do is create a budget out of the hundreds of categories they offer (i.e. groceries, movies, restaurants, bars, etc.), and you'll start seeing where your paycheck is heading. Believe me, you'll be surprised how quickly a daily Starbucks latte adds up to more than $60 a month!

Finally, start by thinking of the adults in your life who you know are financially secure, like parents, your neighbors, your best friend's parents, etc. Ask them to mentor you from time to time when it comes to making big financial decisions.

Some of the best lessons you can get are from the people who were able to make a nice life for themselves but aren't necessarily the targets of Occupy Wall Street.

Learning personal finance is often a self-motivated effort, but it's never too late to start.